New England, and to
which brains and legislators, courts and juries, were mere adjuncts.
Furthermore, the question would have to be voted on at the same time as
his candidacy, and this would have deterred many another more ambitious
politician. The mayor was not to be deterred, however. He began his
agitation, and the enemy began theirs, but in the midst of what seemed
to be a fair battle the great railway company endeavored to steal a
march. There was suddenly and secretly introduced into the lower house
of the State legislature a bill which in deceptive phraseology declared
that the law which allowed all cities, by three successive votes, to
abolish grade crossings in three years, was, in the case of a particular
city mentioned, hereby abrogated for a term of four years. The question
might not even be discussed politically.

When the news of this attempt reached the mayor, he took the first train
for the State capitol and arrived there just in time to come upon the
floor of the house when the bill was being taken up for discussion. He
asked leave to make a statement. Great excitement was aroused by his
timely arrival. Those who secretly favored the bill endeavored to have
the matter referred to a committee, but this was not to be. One member
moved to go on with the consideration of the bill, and after a close
vote the motion carried.

The mayor was then introduced.

After a few moments, in which the silent self-communing with which he
introduced himself impressed everyone with his sincerity, he said:

"I am accused of objecting to this measure because its enactment will
remove, as a political issue, the one cause upon which I base my hope
for reelection. If there are no elevated crossings to vote for, there
will be no excuse for voting for me. Gentlemen, you mistake the temper
and the intellect of the people of our city. It is you who see political
significance in this thing, but let me assure you that it is of a far
different kind from that which you conceive. If the passing of this
measure had any significance to me other than the apparent wrong of it,
I would get down on my knees and urge its immediate acceptance. Nothing
could elect me quicker. Nothing could bury the opposition further from
view. If you wish above all things to accomplish my triumph you will
only need to interfere with the rights of our city in this arbitrary
manner, and you will have the thing done. I could absolutely ask nothing
more."

T